Lamouroux, 1816
Description
Colonies mostly branching and tree-like, attached, or rarely free; consisting of a rod-like axis of horny, more or less calcified substance bearing a crust of coenenchyme (rind) from which short, monomorphic polyps arise. Sclerites always present.
Remarks
The sea-fans are amongst the most distinctive of the Anthozoa and are unlikely to be confused with any others. Only two species are known from British waters although more than 20 have been recorded from the Mediterranean and adjacent parts of the Atlantic.